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Original poster

Can I survive a year without buying clothes?

794 replies

MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 23/12/2013 23:06

I like shopping, especially pretty day dresses, and I have spent much of 2013 building up a decent amount of clothes after bring pregnant and eating cake changed my shape though I have lost my preg weight now. (Only 2 years later!) Grin.

I was having a look through the other day, and I think I could save a fortune if I made myself not shop for clothes or shoes in 2014. It could help financially to pay back the overdraft etc, and maybe just maybe I could save some money. I can definitely dress well for the year, but will people notice that I'm sporting the same clothes?

Would anyone like to join me in my quest to not shop in 2014?

OP posts:
Ememem84 · 28/12/2013 08:57

I'm in. Have just got new wardrobe so had to empty old one and did a clothes audit. So much was sold on eBay it was ridiculous.

Am also going to try and save an obscene amount if money next year so this will help. Not saying ill last a year. But will try.

Impomea · 28/12/2013 09:08

Me too-just one last M&S underwear and sock spree !
Also will allow myself some new shorts when I go to the UK in the spring

QueenofWhatever · 28/12/2013 09:20

A bunch of us did something similar in S&B earlier this year. I will dig out the links and post them. The threads are veeerry long, but there's lots of useful stuff there.

We had a MN swapboard on Pinterest which could probably be resurrected (no idea how!). Also different posters, especially frugalfashionista linked to books and articles. For many, they really dug deep and understood why they were addicted to shopping. It really changed my attitudes to clothes and shopping.

I'm also a strong advocate of having your colours done and a style day. I had mine done by a House of Colour consultant in Exeter and it was the best money I spent this year.

QueenofWhatever · 28/12/2013 09:24

Here are the links:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1702749-The-Shopping-Ban-Frugal-Fashion-Thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/1737129-Frugal-Follow-up

And thanks to all of you who sell BNWT on eBay for 99p - my wardrobe loves you Wink.

Blueandwhitelover · 28/12/2013 09:47

I have twice put stuff in a virtual basket and then clicked the cross and not bought it. I really do have enough clothes to last!

duchesse · 28/12/2013 11:10

I've had to buy some trousers this year (I usually get bootleg cut Boden ones on ebay because I know they'll fit) mainly because mine were all worn out/torn. I estimate that I've spent manybe £40 this year on clothes for me. I've repurposed a fair number of things into DD3's wardrobe, mainly Dh's old trousers (worn out in the seat area) into trousers and dresses for DD3. I love making new things out of old!

highrising51 · 28/12/2013 11:14

Instead of cutting up your credit cards try freezing them! As in, get an empty tub, fill it with water, put them in it, and it in the freezer. If you do need them they'll work fine and it takes so long to defrost you'll have lost the urge to spend unless its really REALLY necessary!!

Clothes wise I can't actually remember the last time I bought any - probably October 2012 when my jeans ripped and I needed a new pair :)

rahlikeatiger · 28/12/2013 13:44

I'm in but maybe not for the year, I really haven't bought much new this year but want to be more creative with the things I own already instead of buying new in and wearing the same 5 things! My goal is to lose weight to wear unworn and perfectly lovely clothes I own already instead of buying anything else. Off to do an audit and sort out for donation/chuck out or ebay before January 1st!

Impomea · 28/12/2013 14:30

Just starting to sort out.I can't believe that I have 2 ottomans full of jeans ,some nearly new -are bootlegs back in fashion yet?

FutureDreamer · 28/12/2013 14:37

novel I think I'm going to read not buying it again - one can never have too much inspiration Grin

Also I know it's been done a million times elsewhere but I'm going to see how many days I can do of an "original outfit" before I run out of clothes.

thatgirloverthere · 28/12/2013 17:23

I'm going to give this a good go.

My biggest weakness is in clothes shopping, I've just spent £90 in Fat face and another £47 in M&S on underwear , so that should do me for the year ahead, I hope that I remember. But everything was half price so a bargain really.

thatgirloverthere · 28/12/2013 17:27

Also I think the key is in buying good quality items when you do need something new, for instance last year I spent £120 on a down coat from Land's End, it's really warm and should last me at least another few winters, so I shouldn't need a one for a while. I gave up buying clothes from Primark as they only lasted a few washes before falling apart.

Rock3t · 28/12/2013 19:23

Hello I'm in too. It's going to be a challenge not to buy anything for the whole of 2014. It's just too easy to buy stuff online. Have stocked up on the basics and unsubscribed to all those tempting emails. I'ts going to be torture when all the lovely spring and summer things start arriving but I'm determined!

FluffyJumper · 28/12/2013 20:15

I'm in. I'm going to allow myself new tights/underwear and that's it.

If I lost 10lb everything would look good anyway.

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 29/12/2013 01:23

What about kids clothes? Am I allowed to buy the kids stuff? They'll only go and have a growth spurt anyway. Grin

FluffyJumper · 29/12/2013 01:49

Yeah, definitely allowed to buy kids stuff.

I've been desperately looking for something I want to buy online now so I can get it in before Jan.

sisukas · 29/12/2013 12:24

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

ashamedoverthinker · 29/12/2013 13:41

Actually I think that might be a more sensible option for me too sis, planned purchases.

I'm a SAHP i never know what I should wear.

I think I will need a lightweight waterproof for holiday in feb.
New knickers

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 29/12/2013 13:47

I know that my DS will need clothes/shoes etc so I'm not planing on stopping that, but I think that for me, planning purchases will make the whole exercise a bit null and void. I have plenty of clothes, so need no more. It's really up to you though how far you go and how strict you are Grin

OP posts:
ashamedoverthinker · 29/12/2013 13:58

But I really need some knickers! Prob get by without waterproof.

I shall have a think.

Original poster
MaccaPaccaismyNemesis · 29/12/2013 14:01

I stocked up on pants prior to going to hospital, so that's all done, but please feel free to buy pants- I wouldn't want to be responsible for your cold bits and pieces!

OP posts:
ashamedoverthinker · 29/12/2013 14:24

Grin - I think I could do it for my DS (8) as I already have his spring coats, next size up school shoes. His summer stuff is all fine from last summer. I;ve already ordered replacement trainers in sale and got two pairs of half price jeans for the winter. I reckon I could get through to September at least. - actually he will need a pair of trekker sandals

I dont think I could do it for DD as she is comming up to 2 and so will have largely grown out of her summer t shirts from this one gone. A couple of dresses will be ok as tunics with leggings. She will need sandles.

DH just couldnt do this, he constantly needs to up date his work wardrobe. He does wear his suits for 14 hours a day sometimes. But maybe for his cascual use clothes.

sisukas · 29/12/2013 14:29

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

androbbob · 29/12/2013 14:33

I am going to try this for three months at least. Inspired by reading this thread last night, I spend an hour in my wardrobe this morning just sorting out and trying on tops. I reckon that I only wear 20% of the clothes I own. The other 75% are generally too small. However, I did find four tops and a pair of jeans that now fit lovely, so I removed four old and too big tops from the cupboard. I have nearly lost 2 stone and aiming for two more, so hopoing to get into more of these clothes over the months!

I also at the beginning of December, turned all my hangers the opposite way round, and as I wore an item it went back in the correct way round - if you get my meaning. I just checked and there were 5 tops that have not been worn this month, so I am wearing one of these today. This is a good way of seeing what you always wear and what you don't. Some are ok as they would be going out type tops, etc, but it is an eye opener. I reckon that one or two of the tops yet to be worn will not be worn in January, so will be heading out of the wardrobe.

ashamedoverthinker · 29/12/2013 14:46

Waterproof knickers hmm dual use, keep indescretions in and spillages out - oh thnk of the park benches you could sit on swigging cider!

sis we went on a hot holiday for the first time this year and so bought a lot of summer clothes we woudnt normally have.

I spent about £750 in one week in October - all coats and boots. I had a bit of a thing - I kept most. They gave me a boost. I know why I did it. The clothes propped me up whilst doing the school run (back story). Anyway it was nice to feel well put together as along with these I did make up etc more.

The thing for me is I enjoy buying clothes and want new stuff sometimes. But I realised I was relying on the clothes (coats etc) and I dont want to. I want to be confident enough to walk down the street without having to paint/put on a front. Does this make any sense?

When I look at statements its the clothes purchases that have bumped it all up. So all in all this wold be part of a wider plan of improvement.